REPORT OE THE MOTUEKA ELECTION COMMITTEE.

59

H.—No. 14

Mr. Gibbon.

18th Sept., 1871.

About 300 or 400 yards off ?—Yes, full that. Where was this schoolroom; was it standing by itself? —Standing by itself on the rise of the hill. When you came in, did you look at the clock ? —I looked at the clock as soon as Robson said it was past 4. Did you look at the clock before Robson said anything? —When we came in, Robson informed us it was past 4 o'clock. Did you look at the clock when you came in ? —I did. When did you look at the clock ? —As soon as Robson informed us it was past 4. You had not looked at the clock before ?—I had not. When you came in, what was the clock? —It was half a minute past 4 o'clock. Had the poll been closed then?—No, it was not closed. Mr. Robson never said anything to you about closing it ? —No. When Starnes came in, what did Robson say ?—When Starnes entered with me and Coppins, he informed us that it was past 4 o'clock. Was he sitting? —He met us as we came in at the door. Had anything been said by any of you before Robson told you it was past 4 o'clock ?—No, not a word. He did not decline to take the vote?—He certainly refused it, but he afterwards took it; he said it was past 4 o'clock. Where was the clock in the room ? —The clock was beside the entrance door. He said, " Gentlemen, it's past 4 o'clock," pointing to the clock. Am 1 to understand you that he met you at tho door ?—He met us at the door. And then you looked and saw it was half a minute?—lt was half a minute. You calculated it carefully ?—I saw the clock. You are certain it was half a minute? —Perfectly certain. Did you object or consent to the vote being taken ? —A consultation took place as I have before stated, between Coppins, the Returning Officer and myself, and after some little talk about it to oblige the man we allowed his vote to be taken. How long were you holding this conversation ?—Perhaps it might have been a minute. When Starnes came in did not Robson say that he could not say it was past 4 o'clock; and he waß bound to take the vote ? —As soon as we entered, he told us it was past 4 o'clock. Did he say he was bound to take the vote, as he could not say it was past 4 o'clock?—He said it was past 4 o'clock ; there was nothing further said. When did you first speak about Starnes having voted after 4 o'clock?—l did not speak of it at all. Did you mention it to Sir David Monro, that he had voted after 4 o'clock ?—Not to the best of my recollection. When were you asked to come here and give evidence ? —I received a letter from Mr. Pitt. When was that ? —The first letter I received was about a month ago. Was that telling you that Sir David Monro was getting up evidence trying to show that this man had voted after 4 o'clock ? —lt merely asked me whether Starnes had voted after 4 o'clock. Did you know that Pitt was Monro's agent?— Yes. Did he say anything more in the letter? Mr. Gillies .- The letter ought to be produced. Mr. Allan : I did not understand we were to be guided by the strict rules of evidence ; if so, we will require the letter. The Chairman: What is this examination tending to ? You have got the evidence of the officer himself and the scrutineer. Examination continued. By Mr. Allan : Did Pitt tell you that he was trying to get up evidence for Monro? —No. Did he merely say that he wanted to know whether it was after 4 o'clock or not? —Yes. Had you known before that they were trying to get up evidence ? —No, I think not. Never heard of it? —I might have heard of it. By Mr. McGillivray: You have said that you consulted with the Returning Officer and Coppins as to whether you would receive the vote?—l consulted with Coppins, the scrutineers for Mr. Parker, and with Robson. We thought it best to accommodate the man and allow him to vote. It was past the time. Robson said, " Gentlemen, it is past 4 o'clock." What I wish to know is this: Did you observe how much it was past 4 o'clock when the vote was taken, after this deliberation? —I know the vote was taken after 4. I know it was past 4 o'clock when the man came in. I cannot say anything further about it. By Mr. Travers : W That the honorable Member has asked you is, whether you know what time had elapsed from his coming in and his actually voting?— Well, I would say about a minute and a half. By the Chairman : You say that the Returning Officer, after asking the man for whom he intended to vote, had said he had made a mistake. Did he say the mistake was make with reference to previous practice? —He said, when he asked the man he spoke it out so quick, and could not stop himself. He said, " I have made a mistake." That was the only mistake that occurred during the day. You did not state what the mistake had reference to? —It was as regards his asking Starnes for whom he would vote. By Mr. Fitzherbert: Were you present at the commencement of the poll ?—I think I was a little behind the time. lam not quite certain of the time the poll was opened. I was a few minutes behind the time. Did you observe the state of the clock when you entered? —-Well, I might have looked at it, but I could not say. By Mr. Travers : The poll was open when you arrived ?—The poll was open, but no votes had been taken. Witness withdrew.